This colour combination is not a faux pas at all. In fact, black with ink blue is a stunning pairing when the colours and fabrications are right. It’s so luxuriously dark, rich and sophisticated. Very yummy in my book.

It isn’t flop proof though. I’ve found that black and ink blue work best when paired using the following guidelines:

• Keep the colours saturated: Pair very rich black and dark blue items together. Faded items don’t work as well.
• Keep one of the items texture rich: Texture adds depth to a colour, so opting for something with a bit of textural sheen is an excellent idea. For example, black slacks look magical with an iridescent ink blue top or jacket. Shantung silk that’s “shot”, meaning it changes colour when it moves, is another good example. So are self-colour jacquard fabrications.
• Add another black or ink blue item into the ensemble: Repeating one of the colours will pull the look together. For example, adding a black belt to an ink blue top and black bottoms is an easy solution.
• Add white or cream to the mix: Sometimes adding a white or cream item or accessory into the ensemble does the trick, like white bottoms, a white jacket or a pearly white necklace. It’s not a necessity, but it can add extra pop.

You might be sporting this colour combination without thinking about it. Wearing a black top with super dark blue/black wash jeans is a great example. The jeans provide the textural component that the outfit needs. Easy.

My favourite red carpet frocks are usually the ones with strong, sleek, simple and retro lines. I don’t fancy the looks that are overly revealing, ruffle-y, shiny, voluminous or ornate nearly as much. But picking red carpet favourites is a subjective thing and I wouldn’t be surprised if we had completely different lists.

This year, Emmy’s style belonged to the gents because they generally dazzled more than the ladies. A first! Just for kicks, here are my lists:

Blokes:

• Jon Hamm could not be beat. Classic, immaculate, clean cut and very movie star handsome. A sight for sore eyes.
• John Krasinski looked fabulous in his satin trimmed tux and skinny black tie. Utterly adorable.
• Steve Carell was wearing a similar satin piped tux and looked just as dashing. He’s a scream.
• Seal’s all black suit ensemble with straggly polka dot tie was dark and edgy. He pulls this look off like no one else can.
• Kevin Bacon was delicious in his mod tux, messy hairdo and geeky black framed specs. So cute.
• Alec Baldwin looked distinguished in his tux with broad lavender tie which matched the colour of his hair and eyes. Very fab.

Lasses:

• Debra Messing in a magnificent one-shouldered electric red gown was my favorite of the evening. A redhead in tomato red is pure perfection.
• Heidi Klum was flawless in a classic strapless, beaded black fish tail gown. It’s easy to make the best dressed list if you can look like that when you’re 8 months pregnant. Seal accessorized her ensemble perfectly.
• Sandra Oh in a vintage gold strapless gown was stunning from head to toe. The corded low slung belt was an elegant touch and I loved how the clutch matched her hair.
• Jamie-Lynn Sigler was beautiful in a cowl front halter-necked metallic gown. A superb take on modern retro glam.

Did you see the show? If so, let’s hear your favourites for the night.

Click the thumbnails to see the red carpet fashions at E! Online and MSN Entertainment.

I was blown away by the number of entries to the Zina’s painters shirt giveaway. My guess was that this level of garment deconstruction would not be popular on YLF. What a surprise!

Congratulations to Rebecca, who was the lucky entrant chosen by our random number generator. Rebecca said:

“Yes, I would wear it. I’ve worn this look for years, starting with a linen jeweler’s smock that I bought in a work wear shop in Paris. Slim trousers or a long, skinny skirt look good below”.

Rebecca, we’d love to see you sport the look if you’d like to post a picture of your outfit on the YLF forum. Enjoy your new acquisition!

I love Cate Blanchett. In my book she is the best actress on earth and sports one of the best styles in Hollywood. Her avant-garde, theatrical and haute couture clothing often takes my breath away. Cate is not only beautiful, but so daring in her fashion choices. She is always the first person I want to look at, at a celebrity event because her outfits are exciting and inspiring. Seeing Cate glide with confidence in her innovative creations is like watching a walking work of art.

So I’m going to turn a blind eye to the bizarre crocheted blanket dress Cate recently wore at a red carpet event in Melbourne. I’m not even going to try to defend the frock because it’s hideous and she’s getting a lot of flak for it already. But it is the one and only Cate Blanchett sporting the ugly dress and if anyone will come out of this situation shining like a star, it’s her. It took courage to sport the look and I support Cate’s risk taking style.

Click the thumbnails to see Cate’s dress in all its crocheted glory.